Tubing hanging method and apparatus

ABSTRACT

Tubing hanging method and apparatus in which a tubing hanger body supports a first string of well tubing in a well head assembly, and a second string of tubing is thereafter landed and releasably locked in position in the tubing hanger by means of a running tool which enables pressure testing of the second tubing string and its removal, if desired.

United States Patent lnvcntors Bobby 111. Nelson;

Benton 1F. Waugh, both of Houston, Tex. 868,319

Oct. 22, 1969 Sept. 7, 11971 Vetco Offshore industries, l1nc. Ventura, Calif.

App]. No. Filed Patented Assignee TUBING HANGING METHOD AND APPARATUS 26 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

U.S. Cl 166/313, 166/89 Int. Cl E211) 23/411), E21b 33/03, E'llb 43/14 Field of Search 166/313,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,050,120 8/1962 McSpadden 166/313 3,105,552 10/1963 Haeber et a1. 285/140 X 3,223,168 12/1965 Stone 166/89 3,299,958 1/1967 Todd 166/89 3,451,481 6/1969 Lanmon 166/313 Primary Examiner Stephen J. Novosad AltorneyBernard Kriegel ABSTRACT: Tubing hanging method and apparatus in which a tubing hanger body supports a first string of well tubing in a well head assembly, and a second string of tubing is thereafter landed and releasably locked in position in the tubing hanger by means of a running too] which enables pressure testing of the second tubing string and its removal, if desired.

PATENTEUSEP Hen 3.603401 snmors p3 5, 150.3. lrani BENTON I. 341/6 /S? v (5g /5/ INVENTOfiS. Boga H. NELSON 'lllUllBllNG llllAl' lGlll lG MllETldlUll) AND APPARATUS in the underwater completion of certain oil and/or gas wells, the well head, casing hanger, and tubing hanger are all located at the bottom of a body of water. Heretofore, in the case of multiple zone completions, wherein more than one string of tubing is to be run into the well and suspended by the tubing hanger from the casing hanger, the tubing strings have all been connected to the tubing hanger and run into the well while suspended from the tubing hanger. Such procedure involves the use of an appropriately designed blowout preventer having tubing receiving pockets in the gates of the blowout preventer rams. However, the tubing strings must be aligned with the tubing receiving pockets when the blowout preventer closes, or no shut-off is possible. Thus, the running of the tubing strings individually is desirable.

The present invention provides a method and tubing hanger apparatus for practicing the method, wherein, the tubing hanger may be run or lowered into engagement with a seat in the well head apparatus or casing hanger, with a first string of tubing suspended from the tubing hanger. Thereafter, a second string of tubing may be run through the previously set tubing hanger on a running tool, the second string of tubing being landed in the tubing hanger, and, responsive to manipulation of the running too], locked in place in the tubing hanger. in order to assure that the second tubing string is properly seated and effectively sealed in the tubing hanger, the running tool permits appropriate testing, including the making of a pressure test, prior to removal of the running too] from the second tubing string.

In addition, the running tool cooperates with the lock or latch for the second string of tubing to allow release of the latch, after testing, or at some other time when the second string of tubing is to be pulled from the tubing hanger.

in accomplishing the foregoing, the invention provides novel tubing hanger apparatus, wherein, according to one embodiment, a latch may be provided in the tubing hanger for engagement with a tubing hanger mandrel which sealingly engages in and suspends the tubing string from the tubing hanger, a running tool being releasably connected to the tubing hanger mandrel and holding the latch out of latching engagement, until the running tool is at least partially removed from the tubing hanger mandrel. According to another embodiment of the invention, the latch may be carried by the tubing hanger mandrel and held in an inoperative position by the running tool until the running tool is at least partially released from the tubing hanger mandrel.

In either case, after the running tool has been partially removed from the tubing hanger mandrel to allow engagement of the tubing hold down latch, the tool has a sealing section which remains sealed within the tubing hanger mandrel, so that fluid may be pumped downwardly through the running tool to test the sealing engagement of the tubing string in the hanger. The running tool also provides means for unlatching the hold down latch so that the tubing stringmay be removed.

Among the objects of the invention is the provision of an efficient method and effective apparatus, whereby the running of multiple tubing strings into wells completed at the bottom of a body of water is substantially simplified, the apparatus being durable, and easy to operate and test.

This invention possesses many other advantages and has other purposes which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of several forms and methods embodying the invention. These forms and methods are shown and described in the present specification and in the drawings accompanying and constituting a part thereof. They will now be described in detail, for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that such detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. l is a fragmentary view in vertical section, showing one embodiment of tubing hanger apparatus landed in a casing hanger on a running tool, prior to engagement of the latch that locks the tubing hanger mandrel and tubing depending therefrom to the tubing hanger;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view in vertical section, more particularly showing the latch and running tool structure of FIG. ll;

lFlG. 3 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2, but showing the latch in latching position;

FIG. A is a fragmentary view in vertical section showing a modified construction; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view in vertical sec tion showing the latch of FIG. d in latching position.

As seen in the drawings, a well head housing A is adapted to support a casing hanger assembly B. Landing and latched in the casing hanger assembly B, is a tubing hanger C., from which depends a first string of well tubing Tll. The well head housing A is of the type adapted to be employed in the subsurface completion of oil and gas wells at the bottom of the ocean or other body of water, as is well known in the art, requiring no further description herein.

The casing hanger B is of the type wherein a body 1 having bypass ports 2 is landed in the wellhead housing on a shoulder 2a and has a skirt 3 adapted to support, at a threaded joint 4, a string of well casing 5 extending downwardly into a well bore (not shown). The illustrated casing hanger B has a seal or packing 6 which is initially disengaged and in a nonsealing relation with respect to coengageable sealing surfaces, to allow circulation of fluid and the displacement of cement through the bypass ports 2, but which is later expanded, as shown, to form an annular seal against and between a cylindri' cal bore wall 6a in the wellhead housing A and the opposed cylindrical wall 6b of the casing hanger body ll. The seal 6 is actuated into sealing engagement by suitable means forming no part of the present invention. An example of such seal and actuator is disclosed in the United States application of Arthur G. Ahlstone, Ser. No. 503,56l filed Oct. 23, 1965, for Well Bore Casing Hanger Apparatus", now U.S. Pat. No. 3,492,026.

An upwardly extending cylindrical portion 7 of the casing hanger body 1 is provided with an internal annular channel or groove 8 located above an internal, downwardly tapered body seat 9. The tubing hanger C lands on the seat 9 and is latched in place by expansible latch dogs 10 carried by the tubing hanger C and expandable into the groove 8, as shown in FIG. 1.

More particularly, the tubing hanger C includes a body 11 having a reduced diameter lower portion 12 adjacent to the lower end of which is a collar 13 connected by threads 14 to the body portion ll2. This collar 13 supports the latch dogs 10 in windows l5 formed between upstanding spacer fingers 16 formed on the collar lid. The collar 13 also swivelly supports a generally triangular seating ring i7 having seal rings 18 engageable with the tapered seat 9 in the casing hanger body ll, additional seals W being provided between the seating ring 17 and the cylindrical exterior wall of the body portion ll2 of the tubing hanger body. The above-mentioned swivel is provided by a cylindrical skirt 13a depending from the collar 13 and extending into a cylindrical bore 131) in the seating ring 117. An annular groove 1130 is formed in the skirt 1130, a suitable split inherently expandable retainer ring ll3g being disposed in the groove 13c and the groove lllifformed in the seating ring 17 to retain the seating ring 17 on the collar 113i. Suitable screws 13d are carried by the seating ring 17 to till access ports ll3h formed to allow compression of the retainer ring 113 for separation of collar l3 and seating ring 117. Ball bearing ele ments we may also be provided between the seating ring 17 and the collar E3.

The latch dogs it? are expansible into locking engagement in the groove ti by a wedge surface 20 on a frustoconical portion 21 of a sleeve 2.2 slidably disposed on the tubing hanger body lll. This sleeve 22 has a vertically elongated slot 23 through which projects a vertically extended spring loaded rib Ed on the body ill, and which is engageable in slot 25 in the well head housing A for the purpose of orienting the tubing hanger body 11 in the well head. Actuator means 26 are provided for forcing the sleeve 22 downwardly with respect to the body 11 to expand the latch dogs 10, including a sleeve 27 revolvable about the upper end of the tubing hanger body 11 and connected by a right hand thread 28 to the upper end of the sleeve 22. A head 29 is affixed to the sleeve 27 by a thread 30 and screws 31, the head overlying the upper end of the tubing hanger body 11 for rotation thereon and preventing downward movement of the sleeve 27 on the body 11. Its upward movement is prevented by a ring 29a affixed to the body 11 by pins 29b and overlying a shoulder 290 on the sleeve 27.

A running tool (not shown) is adapted to run the tubing hanger C into its landed position, and then to rotate the sleeve 27 by being coupled to drive lugs 32 on the head 29, so as to cause downward threaded movement of the dog expander sleeve 22 at the threaded connection 28 with the sleeve 27. Such downward movement of the sleeve 22 will cause the wedge surface 20 to expand the dogs to the locking position shown in FIG. 1.

The tubing hanger structure, as thus far described, does not specifically constitute a part of the present invention, except to the extent that it is illustrative of a device adapted to be landed in the casing hanger B and to support, as by threaded connection 33, the first tubing string T1 in alignment with a bore 34 extending vertically through the tubing hanger body 11. Heretofore, the hanger body also suspended one or more other strings, run in the casing 5 on the body 11. However, in accordance with the present invention, a second tubing string T2 is adapted to be run separately and latched in place in a bore 35 extending vertically through the hanger body 11 in parallel relation to the bore 34.

The second tubing string T2 is suitably connected, as by a threaded joint 36, to the lower end of an elongate tubular body 37, which constitutes a tubing hanger mandrel. This mandrel 37 has a cylindrical body section 38 adapted to fit closely within a reduced diameter section 39 of the bore 35, the body section 38 carrying a suitable number of side ring seals 40 sealingly engaged in the bore section 39. The upper section 41 of the tubing hanger mandrel 37 is enlarged, providing a tapered shoulder 42 at the junction of the mandrel sections 38 and 41 adapted to seat upon a stop shoulder 43 provided in the bore 35, to limit downward movement of the hanger mandrel 37 and to support the tubing string T2 in the hanger body 1 l and the well.

At a location spaced above the upper radial end 44 of the mandrel 37, when the mandrel 37 is seated on the shoulder 43, the hanger body 11 has an annular groove 45 opening laterally into the bore 35. In this groove 45 is a split, inherently contractable lock down ring 46 whose inner portion may extend into the bore 35 to overly the upper end 44 of the tubing hanger mandrel 37, as seen in FIG. 3, when the ring 46 is free to contract, the outer portion of the ring remaining in the groove 45.

In the embodiment now being described, a running tool 47 is provided having a tubular lower section 48 threadedly engaged, as at 49, in an internal, left-handed thread in the upper portion 41 of the tubing hanger mandrel 37. The section 48 of the running tool 47 includes a cylindrical skirt 50 having a seal ring 51 engageable in the cylindrical bore 52 of the mandrel body section 41, the lower tool section 48 including an outwardly extended flange 53 having an outer cylindrical surface 54 adapted to engage the lock down ring 46 to hold the latter expanded, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. At its upper end 55, the running tool 47 has a threaded connection 56 with a runningin string of pipe or tubing 57 extending to the drilling rig.

In the practice of the method hereof employing the apparatus as thus far described, the tubing hanger C with the tubing string T1 depending therefrom is lowered on a running tool (not shown) and is landed on the tapered shoulder 9 of the casing hanger B previously installed in the housing A. The actuator means 26 is operated by the running in tool to effectively anchor the tubing hanger C in the casing hanger B by expanding the latch dogs 10 to the position shown in FIG. 1, the tubing hanger running tool then being released from the tubing hanger C and retrieved. Thus, the first string of tubing T1 is suspended in the casing hanger B and casing 5, and in the well head housing A.

Thereafter, the second string of tubing T2 is lowered on the running tool 47 by the tubing 57, with the flange 53 of the tool in engagement with the upper shoulder 44 of the tubing hanger mandrel 37. The tubing string T2 is lowered downwardly through the bore 35 in the tubing hanger body 11 until the tapered shoulder 42 on the mandrel 37 seats against the upwardly facing shoulder 43 in the body 11. As the tubing hanger mandrel 37 passes downwardly through the split lock down ring 46, its tapered shoulder 42 engages the tapered inner surface 46a on the ring 46, expanding it out of the bore 35 and fully into the groove 45. When the mandrel 37 is landed on the shoulder 43, the ring 46 will be held in its expanded condition by the periphery of the flange 53.

The running-in string of tubing 57 may then be rotated to the right to cause upward movement of the running tool 47 along the thread 49 and mandrel 37 to the position shown in FIG. 3, at which the seal 51 on the lower portion 48 on the tool 47 is still in the cylindrical bore 52 of the mandrel 37. However, it will be noted that the outer peripheral surface 54 of the flange 53 of the running tool 47 has been moved upwardly above the hold down split latch ring 46, so that the latter can contract inherently into overlying relation to the upper end 44 of the mandrel 37, whereby the ring 46 is engageable by the mandrel 37 and in the groove 45 to prevent upward movement of the mandrel 37. An upward pull on the running string 57 may be taken to ascertain that the ring 46 is effectively acting to hold the mandrel 37 against upward movement.

Thereafter, fluid under pressure may be pumped down the running in string of tubing 57 to effect a pressure test. Further rotation of the running in string 57 to the right then causes complete unthreading and disengagement of the running tool 47 from the mandrel 37, allowing the running string 57 and the running tool 47 to be retrieved. Thus, the second string of well tubing T2 is effectively suspended from and locked to the tubing hanger C independently of the first tubing string T 1.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a modified construction is illustrated. In this embodiment only the tubing hanger C is illustrated. At its lower end, the body 111 has a tapered seating surface 117 adapted to engage an upwardly facing surface or shoulder in a casing hanger body (not shown) such as the body 1 of FIG. 1. In addition, the body 111 has suitable latch means and suitable sealing means 118 also cooperative with the casing hanger for anchoring the tubing hanger C in place and providing an effective seal.

The hanger body 111 supports a first string of tubing T1 from a threaded joint 113, the tubing string T1 being in communication with a first bore 134 extending vertically through the body 111. The body 111 has a second bore 135 extending vertically therethrough in parallel relation to the bore 134.

Disposed in the bore 135 is a tubing hanger mandrel 137 connected to a running tool 147 by a left-hand thread 149, a second string of tubing T2 being threadedly connected at 136 to the lower end of the mandrel 137. Here again, the mandrel 137 has a downwardly tapered surface or shoulder 142 engageable with an upwardly facing shoulder 143 provided in the body 111 around the bore 135 whereby the mandrel 137 supports the tubing string T2 in the body 111. Engageable in the cylindrical 174 section 139 of the bore 135 are suitable seal rings carried by the cylindrical body section 138 of the mandrel 137.

in the present embodiment, the lock down ring 146 is an in herently expansible split ring held in contracted relation about the running tool 147 by a downwardly and outwardly inclined internal surface 14611 on a flange 146b of the running tool 147, the flange 146b providing a space for reception of an upstanding skirt 1460 on the ring 146. The body 111 is provided with an internal groove adapted to receive the outer portion of the hold down ring 1416 when the latter is allowed to expand, so that the ring M6 will engage in the groove M5 and with the upper end 144 of the mandrel 137 to effectively hold the mandrel against upward movement.

The method employing the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5 is essentially like that of the embodiment first described. Righthand rotation of the running in string of tubing 157 connected to the running tool 147 and resultant upward threading and movement of the running tool 147 relative to the tubing hanger mandrel 137 elevates the flange Mfib from the ring 14-6, allowing the latter to expand into the groove 145. With at least one of the running tool seals 151 engaging the inner wall of the mandrel 137, a pressure test can be performed, after which the tool 147 can be rotated to the right by the tubing 157 to fully unthread the running tool 147 from the mandrel 137, permitting retrieval of the tubing string 157 and running tool 141-7.

In both embodiments, if for any reason it is desired to remove the mandrel 37 or 137 from the tubing hanger body 11 or 111, and the tubing carried thereby, it is only necessary to thread the running tool 47 or 1 17 back into the mandrel 37 or 137 to release the respective hold down rings 46 or 1 16. In the first described embodiment, the flange 53 will act on the tapered ring surface 46a to expand the ring 46 fully into the groove but, in the second embodiment, the cam surface 146a on the flange 1461: will engage the upstanding flange or skirt 1460 on the ring 146 to effect contraction of the ring 146 out of the groove 145.

If it is desired to release the mandrel 37 or 137 from the hanger body 11 or 111, with the running tool 47 or 1 17 still threadedly connected to the mandrel, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, it is only necessary to rotate the tubing 57 or 157 to the left to thread the running tool fully back into the mandrel causing the flange 53 to expand the latch ring 46 fully into the groove 45 (as in FIG. 2) or the cam surface 146a to retract the latch ring 146 out of the groove 145, whereupon the tubing string 57 or 157 may be elevated to remove the mandrel and tubing T2 connected thereto from the hanger body 11 or 111 and the casing 5.

From the foregoing, it will now be apparent that the present invention provides a method of running tubing strings and suspending the same from an underwater casing hanger, as well as apparatus for the practice of such a method, wherein the handling of the tubing strings and the effective operation of the usual blowout preventers are substantially simplified.

We claim:

1. The method of hanging multiple strings oftubing in a well bore in which well casing is supported in the well bore by a casing hanger, comprising lowering a first tubing string supported by a tubing hanger having a first bore communicating with said first tubing string, landing said tubing hanger in said casing hanger, running a second string of tubing through a second bore in said tubing hanger on a running in string of tubing, and supporting said second string of tubing on said tubing hanger in said second bore, including latching said second string of tubing against upward movement in said second bore, and removing said running in string.

2. The method of claim 1, said second string of tubing being latched to said tubing hanger against upward movement in said second bore by manipulation of said running in string, and said running in string being removed by elevating said running in string from said tubing string.

3. The method of claim 1, said second string of tubing being latched to said tubing hanger against upward movement in said second bore by manipulation of said running in string, taking an upward pull on said running in string to determine that second string of tubing is latched to said tubing hanger against upward movement, said running in string being removed from said tubing hanger.

4. The method of claim 1, said second string of tubing being latched to said tubing hanger against upward movement in said second bore by manipulation of said running in string, and displacing fluid under pressure downwardly through said running in string and said second string of tubing.

5. The method of claim 1, said second string of tubing being latched to said tubing hanger against upward movement in said second bore by manipulation of said running in string, taking an upward pull on said running in string to determine that said second string of tubing is latched against upward movement, displacing fluid under pressure downwardly through said running in string and said second string of tubing, said running in string being removed from said tubing hanger.

6. In tubing hanger apparatus adapted to support a plurality of tubing strings within a casing supported by a casing hanger, said tubing hanger apparatus including a body having means for connection with a first string of tubing, said tubing hanger body having a first bore therethrough for communication with said first string of tubing, said body having a second bore, a tubing hanger mandrel having means for connection with a second string of tubing, said body and said mandrel having means for supporting said mandrel in said second bore, and tool means removably connectable to said mandrel for moving said mandrel and said second string of tubing through said second bore, said body and said mandrel having latch means for releasably holding said mandrel against upward movement in said second bore.

7. In tubing hanger apparatus as defined in claim 6, said latch means comprising a resilient split latch ring adapted to engage said mandrel, and a shoulder in. said body surrounding said second bore engageable by said ring.

8. In tubing hanger apparatus as defined in claim 6, said latch means comprising a resilient split latch ring adapted to engage said mandrel, a shoulder in said body surrounding said second bore engageable by said ring, and said lock ring being circumferentially expansible and contractable between a first position coengageable between said shoulder and said mandrel and a second position at which said mandrel is free to move upwardly in said second bore.

9. In tubing hanger apparatus as defined in claim 6, said latch means comprising a resilient split latch ring adapted to engage said mandrel, a shoulder in said body surrounding said second bore engageable by said ring, said ring being inherently contractable for engagement between said shoulder and said mandrel, and said tool having means for expanding said ring to a position at which said mandrel is free for upward movement in said second bore.

11). In tubing hanger apparatus as defined in claim 6, said latch means comprising a resilient split latch ring adapted to engage said mandrel, a shoulder in said body surrounding said second bore engageable by said ring, said ring being inherently expansible for engagement between said shoulder and said mandrel, and said toolhaving means for contracting said ring to a position at which said mandrel is free for upward movement in said second bore.

11. In tubing hanger apparatus adapted to support a plurality of tubing strings within a casing supported by a casing hanger, said tubing hanger apparatus including a body having means for connection with a first string of tubing, said tubing hanger body having a first bore therethrough for communication with said first string of tubing, said body having a second bore, a tubing hanger mandrel having means for connection with a second string of tubing, said body and said mandrel hav' ing means for supporting said mandrel in said second bore, and tool means removable connectalble to said mandrel for moving said mandrel and said second string of tubing through said second bore, latch means operable by said tool means for releasably holding said mandrel against upward movement in said second bore, said tool means and said mandrel having sealing means coengaged when said tool means is operated to effect latching of said mandrel against said upward movement.

12. In tubing hanger apparatus adapted to support a plurality of tubing strings in a well bore from a well head housing, said well head housing supporting casing hanger means having a string of easing extending downwardly into the well bore: tubing hanger means including a body, means for supporting said body in said well head housing, said body having a first bore therethrough, a first tubing string supported by said body and communicating with said first bore, said first tubing string extending downwardly in said casing, said body having a second bore therein, means for removably supporting a second string of tubing in said second bore including a tubing hanger mandrel, said second string of tubing being connected to said mandrel, and landing means for supporting said mandrel in said second bore with said second string of tubing extending into the casing, releasable latch means for holding said mandrel against upward movement in said second bore.

13. In tubing hanger apparatus as defined in claim 12, a running tool releasably connected to said mandrel, and means on said running tool for initially holding said latch means disengaged.

14. In tubing hanger apparatus as defined in claim 12, a running tool releasably connected to said mandrel, and means on said running tool for initially holding said latch means disengaged, said running tool being threadedly connectable to and releasable from said mandrel, said means for initially holding said latch means disengaged releasing said latch means for engagement responsive to threaded movement of said running tool relative to said mandrel but before said running tool is disconnected from said mandrel.

15. The method of hanging a tubing string in a well bore hanger and latching the tubing string therein against upward movement, comprising lowering the tubing string through the hanger on a running string attached to a running tool releasably secured to the tubing string, landing the tubing string in the hanger with the running tool preventing latching of the tubing string against upward movement, manipulating the running string and running tool to effect latching of the tubing string against upward movement, and releasing the running tool from the tubing string for removal from the hanger.

16. The method as defined in claim 15, taking an upward pull on the running string prior to release of the running tool from the tubing string to determine the latching condition of the tubing string.

17. The method as defined in claim 15, the running string and running tool being manipulated by imparting rotation thereto,

18. The method as defined in claim 15, the tubing string being in sealed relation to the hanger, the running tool being in sealed relation to the tubing string, the manipulation of the running string and running tool to effect latching of the tubing string occurring without disturbing the sealed relation of the running tool to the tubing string, imposing pressure on fluid in the running string and tubing string to test the sealed relation of the tubing string to the hanger, the running tool being released from the tubing string after testing of said sealed relation.

19. The method as defined in claim 18, the running string and running tool being manipulated by imparting rotation thereto, release of the running tool from the tubing string being effected in response to rotation of the running string and running tool.

20. The method as defined in claim 15, and manipulating the running string and running tool to unlatch the tubing string and permit its upward movement from the hanger.

21. Apparatus comprising a well bore hanger, a mandrel to which a tubing string is connectable to depend therefrom, coengageable means on said mandrel and hanger for landing said mandrel in said hanger with the tubing string depending therefrom into a well bore below the hanger, said body and mandrel having latch means for preventing upward movement of said mandrel in said hanger, a running tool releasably secured to said mandrel and attached to a running string, holding means on said running tool engageable with said latch means to render said latch means ineffective to prevent upward movement of said mandrel in said hanger, said holding means being shiftable in response to manipulation of said running tool by the running string to a position rendering said latch means effective to prevent upward movement of said mandrel in said hanger.

22. Apparatus as defined in claim 21, said latch means comprising a resilient split latch ring adapted to engage said mandrel, and a shoulder in said body engageable by said ring.

23. Apparatus as defined in claim 21, said latch means comprising a resilient split latch ring adapted to engage said mandrel, and a shoulder in said body engageable by said ring, said latch ring being circumferentially expansible and contractable between a first position coengageable between said shoulder and said mandrel and a second position in which said mandrel is free to move upwardly of said hanger.

24. Apparatus as defined in claim 21, said latch means comprising a resilient split latch ring adapted to engage said mandrel, and a shoulder in said body engageable by said ring, said ring being inherently contractable for engagement between said shoulder and said mandrel, said holding means expanding said ring to a position in which said mandrel is free to move upwardly in said hanger.

25. Apparatus as defined in claim 21, said latch means comprising a resilient split latch ring adapted to engage said mandrel, and a shoulder in said body engageable by said ring, said ring being inherently expansible for engagement between said shoulder and said mandrel, said holding means contracting said ring to a position in which said mandrel is free to move upwardly in said hanger.

26. Apparatus as defined in claim 21, said running tool being releasably secured to said mandrel by a threaded connection, said running tool and running string being manipulated by imparting rotation thereto to at least partially unthread said running tool from said mandrel to shift said holding means to said position rendering said latch means effective.

- y a I CLRLHlCAlh 01* CORHLCHGN Patent NO. 3,603,401 Dated September 7, 1971 II-Wentofls) BOBBY H. NELSON ET AL It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Coltzmn 6, line 61, "removable" should be --removab1y--.

Column 8, lines 10, 23, 26, 33 and 40', "body" should be --hanger--.

Signed and sealed this 18th day of April 1972.

(SEAL). Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHEH,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer- Commissioner of Pa tents 

1. The method of hanging multiple strings of tubing in a well bore in which well casing is supported in the well bore by a casing hanger, comprising lowering a first tubing string supported by a tubing hanger having a first bore communicating with said first tubing string, landing said tubing hanger in said casing hanger, running a second string of tubing through a second bore in said tubing hanger on a running in string of tubing, and supporting said second string of tubing on said tubing hanger in said second bore, including latching said second string of tubing against upward movement in said second bore, and removing said running in string.
 2. The method of claim 1, said second string of tubing being latched to said tubing hanger against upward movement in said second bore by manipulation of said running in string, and said running in string being removed by elevating said running in string from said tubing string.
 3. The method of claim 1, said second string of tubing being latched to said tubing hanger against upward movement in said second bore by manipulation of said running in string, taking an upward pull on said running in string to determine that second string of tubing is latched to said tubing hanger against upward movement, said running in string being removed from said tubing hanger.
 4. The method of claim 1, said second string of tubing being latched to said tubing hanger against upward movement in said second bore by manipulation of said running in string, and displacing fluid under pressure downwardly through said running in string and said second string of tubing.
 5. The method of claim 1, said second string of tubing being latched to said tubing hanger against upward movement in said second bore by manipulation of said running in string, taking an upward pull on said running in string to determine that said second string of tubing is latched against upward movement, displacing fluid under pressure downwardly through said running in string and said second string of tubing, said running in string being removed from said tubing hanger.
 6. In tubing hanger apparatus adapted to support a plurality of tubing strings within a casing supported by a casing hanger, said tubing hanger apparatus including a body having means for connection with a first string of tubing, said tubing hanger body having a first bore therethrough for communication with said first string of tubing, said body having a second bore, a tubing hanger mandrel having means for connection with a second string of tubing, said body and said mandrel having means for supporting said mandrel in said second bore, and tool means removably connectable to said mandrel for moving said mandrel and said second string of tubing through said second bore, said body and said mandrel having latch means for releasably holding said mandrel against upward movement in said second bore.
 7. In tubing hanger apparatus as defined in claim 6, said latch means comprising a resilient split latch ring adapted to engage said mandrel, and a shoulder in said body surrounding said second bore engageable by said ring.
 8. In tubing hanger apparatus as defined in claim 6, said latch means comprising a resilient split latch ring adapted to engage said mandrel, a shoulder in said body surrounding said second bore engageable by said ring, and said lock ring being circumferentially expansible and Contractable between a first position coengageable between said shoulder and said mandrel and a second position at which said mandrel is free to move upwardly in said second bore.
 9. In tubing hanger apparatus as defined in claim 6, said latch means comprising a resilient split latch ring adapted to engage said mandrel, a shoulder in said body surrounding said second bore engageable by said ring, said ring being inherently contractable for engagement between said shoulder and said mandrel, and said tool having means for expanding said ring to a position at which said mandrel is free for upward movement in said second bore.
 10. In tubing hanger apparatus as defined in claim 6, said latch means comprising a resilient split latch ring adapted to engage said mandrel, a shoulder in said body surrounding said second bore engageable by said ring, said ring being inherently expansible for engagement between said shoulder and said mandrel, and said tool having means for contracting said ring to a position at which said mandrel is free for upward movement in said second bore.
 11. In tubing hanger apparatus adapted to support a plurality of tubing strings within a casing supported by a casing hanger, said tubing hanger apparatus including a body having means for connection with a first string of tubing, said tubing hanger body having a first bore therethrough for communication with said first string of tubing, said body having a second bore, a tubing hanger mandrel having means for connection with a second string of tubing, said body and said mandrel having means for supporting said mandrel in said second bore, and tool means removable connectable to said mandrel for moving said mandrel and said second string of tubing through said second bore, latch means operable by said tool means for releasably holding said mandrel against upward movement in said second bore, said tool means and said mandrel having sealing means coengaged when said tool means is operated to effect latching of said mandrel against said upward movement.
 12. In tubing hanger apparatus adapted to support a plurality of tubing strings in a well bore from a well head housing, said well head housing supporting casing hanger means having a string of casing extending downwardly into the well bore: tubing hanger means including a body, means for supporting said body in said well head housing, said body having a first bore therethrough, a first tubing string supported by said body and communicating with said first bore, said first tubing string extending downwardly in said casing, said body having a second bore therein, means for removably supporting a second string of tubing in said second bore including a tubing hanger mandrel, said second string of tubing being connected to said mandrel, and landing means for supporting said mandrel in said second bore with said second string of tubing extending into the casing, releasable latch means for holding said mandrel against upward movement in said second bore.
 13. In tubing hanger apparatus as defined in claim 12, a running tool releasably connected to said mandrel, and means on said running tool for initially holding said latch means disengaged.
 14. In tubing hanger apparatus as defined in claim 12, a running tool releasably connected to said mandrel, and means on said running tool for initially holding said latch means disengaged, said running tool being threadedly connectable to and releasable from said mandrel, said means for initially holding said latch means disengaged releasing said latch means for engagement responsive to threaded movement of said running tool relative to said mandrel but before said running tool is disconnected from said mandrel.
 15. The method of hanging a tubing string in a well bore hanger and latching the tubing string therein against upward movement, comprising lowering the tubing string through the hanger on a running string attached to a running tool releasably secured to the tubing string, landing the tubing strIng in the hanger with the running tool preventing latching of the tubing string against upward movement, manipulating the running string and running tool to effect latching of the tubing string against upward movement, and releasing the running tool from the tubing string for removal from the hanger.
 16. The method as defined in claim 15, taking an upward pull on the running string prior to release of the running tool from the tubing string to determine the latching condition of the tubing string.
 17. The method as defined in claim 15, the running string and running tool being manipulated by imparting rotation thereto.
 18. The method as defined in claim 15, the tubing string being in sealed relation to the hanger, the running tool being in sealed relation to the tubing string, the manipulation of the running string and running tool to effect latching of the tubing string occurring without disturbing the sealed relation of the running tool to the tubing string, imposing pressure on fluid in the running string and tubing string to test the sealed relation of the tubing string to the hanger, the running tool being released from the tubing string after testing of said sealed relation.
 19. The method as defined in claim 18, the running string and running tool being manipulated by imparting rotation thereto, release of the running tool from the tubing string being effected in response to rotation of the running string and running tool.
 20. The method as defined in claim 15, and manipulating the running string and running tool to unlatch the tubing string and permit its upward movement from the hanger.
 21. Apparatus comprising a well bore hanger, a mandrel to which a tubing string is connectable to depend therefrom, coengageable means on said mandrel and hanger for landing said mandrel in said hanger with the tubing string depending therefrom into a well bore below the hanger, said body and mandrel having latch means for preventing upward movement of said mandrel in said hanger, a running tool releasably secured to said mandrel and attached to a running string, holding means on said running tool engageable with said latch means to render said latch means ineffective to prevent upward movement of said mandrel in said hanger, said holding means being shiftable in response to manipulation of said running tool by the running string to a position rendering said latch means effective to prevent upward movement of said mandrel in said hanger.
 22. Apparatus as defined in claim 21, said latch means comprising a resilient split latch ring adapted to engage said mandrel, and a shoulder in said body engageable by said ring.
 23. Apparatus as defined in claim 21, said latch means comprising a resilient split latch ring adapted to engage said mandrel, and a shoulder in said body engageable by said ring, said latch ring being circumferentially expansible and contractable between a first position coengageable between said shoulder and said mandrel and a second position in which said mandrel is free to move upwardly of said hanger.
 24. Apparatus as defined in claim 21, said latch means comprising a resilient split latch ring adapted to engage said mandrel, and a shoulder in said body engageable by said ring, said ring being inherently contractable for engagement between said shoulder and said mandrel, said holding means expanding said ring to a position in which said mandrel is free to move upwardly in said hanger.
 25. Apparatus as defined in claim 21, said latch means comprising a resilient split latch ring adapted to engage said mandrel, and a shoulder in said body engageable by said ring, said ring being inherently expansible for engagement between said shoulder and said mandrel, said holding means contracting said ring to a position in which said mandrel is free to move upwardly in said hanger.
 26. Apparatus as defined in claim 21, said running tool being releasably secured to said mandrel by a threaded connection, said running tool and running string being maniPulated by imparting rotation thereto to at least partially unthread said running tool from said mandrel to shift said holding means to said position rendering said latch means effective. 